Old Newscast: Vladimir Putin elected Russian president for the first time, 2000 (Part 2)

In this episode of Old Newscast, the discussion centers around Vladimir Putin’s election as president of Russia in 2000 and the key moments during his presidency that followed. The episode revisits the political chaos in Russia during the 1990s, which set the stage for Putin's rise. It tackles significant challenges he faced early on, notably the Kursk submarine disaster, which revealed his inexperience as a leader. The failure to respond quickly to this crisis led to public criticism and marked a profound realization for Putin about the importance of media control.

The episode outlines how, after the chaos following Boris Yeltsin's resignation, Putin campaigned on a message of stability and promised to dismantle the oligarchic power structure. This narrative resonated with a public craving for order after the tumultuous 1990s, which had brought economic turmoil. Additionally, it examines the dynamics of Putin's relationships with the West, particularly during a brief period when he was viewed favorably by Western leaders but later confronted growing suspicion and disdain due to geopolitical developments such as NATO expansion.

As the episode unfolds, it addresses the significant moment when Putin returned to the presidency after a brief interval as prime minister under Dmitry Medvedev, illustrating how this transition fueled paranoia and the crackdown on dissent. The hosts consider how Putin's perception of himself as a defender against the West solidified over time, particularly in the face of the geopolitical landscape changing with events like the annexation of Crimea and the ongoing war in Ukraine. Concluding reflections touch on how ordinary Russians perceive their lives under Putin and speculate on the implications of his long-term rule amidst unfolding crises.